adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Government has partnered two United Nations agencies to revitalise irrigation projects in four provinces.
The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) has provided a grant of $25,5 million, while the Opec Fund for International Development (OFID) has availed a loan of $15 million.
Government is providing $7,9 million, while the beneficiaries are expected to invest $3,28 million in the programme.
IFAD coordinator for Matabeleland South Mrs Mavis Chikumbirike told stakeholders during an inception meeting held in Beitbridge recently that the project would be rolled out in Matabeleland South, Masvingo, Midlands and Manicaland provinces.
“This is a seven-year programme that seeks to build resilient communities through; sustainable irrigation development, climate-smart agriculture and market access,” said Mrs Chikumbirike.
She said they were looking at putting 6 100 hectares of land under irrigation-supported farming for 125 projects, through the Smallholder Irrigation Revitilisation Programme (SIRP). Mrs Chikumburike said 5 000 plot holders were set to benefit directly under the project, while a further 12 500 would benefit under the non-irrigation land facility.
“Besides building resilience in communities, we are looking at turning around the lives of 2 000 youths and 500 Government extension officers under SIRP,” she said.
“The funds are being channelled through central government and we have already sent our budget to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.” Mrs Chikumbirike said studies showed that farmers supported by irrigation were likely to fare well than those dependent on the normal rainfall patterns.
She said the country had a lot of stored water for irrigation that remained untapped. The attainment of food and nutrition security, she said, required integrated support on irrigation development, climate-smart agriculture and market linkages.
“The SIRP projects has two components, which include sustainable irrigation development and climate-smart and agriculture and market access,” she said.
“Matabeleland South will have the programme running in two districts, while the rest of the provinces will have one district each this year alone.” Mrs Chikumbirike said Tshikwalakwala and Sibasa irrigation projects in Matabeleland South would be rehabilitated during the first phase this year.
She said feasibility studies would be conducted nationwide to bring into the pipeline 2 000 hectares of new irrigation projects at the end of SIRP.
Online Reporter